Roadster to race down under?

COULD the spunky new MX-5 roadster from Mazda be destined for Aussie race tracks?

The Mazda MX-5 is the best-selling roadster in history, and the most road-raced car in the world. Now, with the recent unveiling of the fourth generation MX-5, the most frequently asked question is “Where will it race?”

Mazda gave the first part of that answer at the SEMA automotive trade show in Las Vegas today (Thursday, 6 November 2014), as the company announced that the new Mazda MX-5 will be raced in a new Global Cup series, in North America, Europe and Asia (could this include Australia?).

Starting in 2016, there will be multiple Mazda Global MX-5 Cup series around the world, all using identically prepared cars. Full details of the Global MX-5 Cup, including which countries will be involved and when the races will take place, will be announced as they are confirmed.

The Global MX-5 Cup will culminate at the end of 2016 with a Global Shootout at the legendary Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, to crown the series champion.

Among other prizes, the series champion will receive a one-day test in Mazda’s top-level TUDOR United States Sports Car Championship SKYACTIV prototype race car.

While Mazda did not release final specifications, equipment or technical partners for the car, it was confirmed that the Global MX-5 Cup race car will be equipped with a 2.0 litre SKYACTIV-G four cylinder engine.

Beginning this winter, Mazda Motorsports will undertake a development period to select the optimum tyres, suspension and powertrain and safety modifications. The final specifications will be announced in 2015 when Mazda is ready to accept orders for the 2016 series.

In a first for Mazda, the Global MX-5 Cup racecars will be sold “ready to race” from a single supplier.